First-Time Cruiser's Complete Guide: Everything You Need to Know

If you have never been on a cruise before, the whole experience can feel a little overwhelming. How do you choose between dozens of ships and itineraries? What exactly is included in the fare? And what on earth is a muster drill? This guide answers the questions first-time cruisers ask most, so you can step aboard with confidence.

What to Expect on a Cruise Holiday

A cruise rolls transport, accommodation, dining and entertainment into a single package. Your ship sails between ports, often overnight, while you sleep, eat, swim and socialise. During the day you can explore a new destination, then come back on board for an evening of live shows, dinner and a quiet drink. It is one of the most convenient ways to see the world, and you only unpack once.

Modern cruise ships are floating resorts. Even a mid-sized vessel will offer multiple restaurants, swimming pools, a theatre, a gym, a spa and dedicated spaces for children and teenagers. The largest ships, including Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas and MSC World Europa, add waterparks, go-kart tracks, ice-skating rinks and roller coasters to the mix.

Cruises typically last between 2 and 21 nights, although you can find anything from a weekend taster to a 100-night world voyage. For a first cruise, a seven-night itinerary is the sweet spot: long enough to settle in, short enough that you are not committing months of annual leave.

Choosing Your Cruise Line

There is no single "best" cruise line, only the one that best fits your travel style, budget and priorities. Here is a quick overview of the major lines sailing from the UK:

• Royal Caribbean. Best for families and thrill-seekers. Huge ships packed with activities, from surf simulators to sky-diving experiences, with strong kids clubs.
• MSC Cruises. Best value for money. Modern fleet, included kids club and competitive pricing. Strong on Mediterranean itineraries.
• P&O Cruises. Best for UK departures. British line sailing from Southampton year-round. Familiar food, no flying required.
• Norwegian Cruise Line. Best for flexibility. "Freestyle" dining means no fixed meal times or rigid dress codes.
• Celebrity Cruises. Modern luxury without the stiffness. Good food, stylish interiors and an adult-leaning atmosphere.
• Cunard. Best for traditional elegance. White-gloved afternoon tea, black-tie gala nights and the legendary transatlantic crossing.

Use our cruise line comparison tool to filter by budget, destination, family-friendliness and departure port.

Cabin Types Explained

Choosing the right cabin is one of the biggest decisions you will make. Here are the four main types:

Inside Cabin

The most affordable option. Inside cabins have no window or balcony, but they are perfectly comfortable for sleeping and getting ready. They tend to be darker and quieter, which some cruisers actually prefer. If you plan to spend most of your time out on deck or ashore, an inside cabin is a sensible way to keep costs down.

Ocean-View Cabin

Similar to an inside cabin in size, but with a porthole or picture window. You get natural light and a view of the sea, but the window does not open. Expect to pay 20 to 40 percent more than an inside cabin for this upgrade.

Balcony Cabin

The most popular cabin type, for good reason. A private balcony lets you step outside for fresh air, watch the ship sail into port at dawn, or have a quiet coffee with a sea view. Once you have sailed in a balcony cabin it is hard to go back. Prices are typically 40 to 80 percent more than an inside cabin.

Suite

Suites offer the most space, the best locations on the ship and a raft of perks: priority boarding, dedicated dining, a butler on some lines and premium drinks packages. They are significantly more expensive, but if you are celebrating a special occasion, a suite can make the trip.

Top tip: on your first cruise, a balcony cabin on a mid-ship deck offers the best combination of value, comfort and experience. Mid-ship cabins feel less motion, and the balcony itself transforms the holiday.

What Is Included in the Fare?

Cruise fares can look like incredible value, but it pays to understand what is and is not included before you budget.

Usually included

• Your cabin
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner in the main dining room and buffet
• Room service (basic menu, though some lines charge a delivery fee)
• Entertainment: theatre shows, live music, comedy nights, deck parties
• Swimming pools, hot tubs and gym access
• Kids clubs (ages 3 to 17 on most lines)
• Port taxes and fees

Usually extra

• Drinks. Alcohol, premium coffees and soft drinks usually cost extra. Drinks packages start at around £40 to £70 per person per day on most lines.
• Speciality dining. Onboard restaurants beyond the main dining room typically charge a cover or a la carte fee.
• Wi-Fi. Expect to pay £10 to £20 per day for a basic package. Speeds have improved a lot in recent years, but home broadband it is not.
• Shore excursions. Organised tours at each port are an additional cost. You can also explore independently, which is often cheaper.
• Spa and beauty treatments. Massages, facials and salon services are extra.
• Gratuities. Most lines add an automatic daily service charge of £10 to £16 per person per day. More on this below.

Some cruise lines now offer "all-inclusive" fares that bundle drinks, Wi-Fi and gratuities into the headline price. Virgin Voyages, for example, includes all dining, group fitness classes and basic Wi-Fi in every fare.

What to Pack

Packing for a cruise is not as complicated as you might think. You will need a mix of casual daywear, swimwear, something smart for formal evenings and comfortable shoes for exploring ports. We have written a detailed cruise packing checklist with everything you need, including destination-specific tips for the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska and Norwegian Fjords.

Whatever else you forget, do not leave home without:

• Passport (with at least six months' validity)
• Cruise booking confirmation and luggage tags
• Travel insurance documents
• Any prescription medication in original packaging
• A power strip or multi-plug adaptor (cabins typically have only one or two sockets)

Embarkation Day: What to Expect

Embarkation day is the day you board the ship. It can also be one of the most confusing parts of a cruise if you have never done it before. Here is how it typically works:

1. Arrive at the terminal. Your cruise line will give you a check-in time slot, usually between 11:00 and 15:00. Stick to your slot to avoid queues.
2. Drop off luggage. Porters outside the terminal will take your checked bags. Attach the luggage tags your cruise line sent you before you arrive. Your bags will be delivered to your cabin later that afternoon.
3. Security screening. Similar to airport security. You will walk through a metal detector and your carry-on bag will be scanned.
4. Check-in. Present your passport and booking confirmation. You will receive your cruise card, which serves as your room key, onboard charge card and ID for getting on and off the ship.
5. Board the ship. Welcome aboard. Head straight to the buffet for lunch (it opens on embarkation day), explore the ship and find your cabin.
6. Muster drill. Before the ship sails you must complete a safety briefing. On most modern ships this means watching a short video on your phone or stateroom TV and then briefly visiting your assigned assembly station. It takes about 15 minutes.
7. Sail away. Head to the top deck with a drink and watch the port disappear behind you. It is one of the best moments of any cruise.

Pro tip: pack a small carry-on bag with your swimsuit, a change of clothes, sunscreen and any medication you need for the first few hours. Your checked luggage may not arrive at your cabin until early evening.

Life at Sea

Sea days, when the ship is sailing between ports rather than docked, are a highlight for many cruisers. Here is what a typical sea day looks like:

• Morning: breakfast in the dining room or buffet. Hit the gym, take a yoga class on deck or simply find a sun lounger by the pool.
• Late morning: drop in on a talk or demonstration. Many ships run cooking classes, wine tastings, art auctions and guest lectures.
• Lunch: the buffet, a casual pool-side grill or sit-down dining.
• Afternoon: lounge by the pool, try the waterslide, visit the spa, read a book on your balcony or catch a film in the onboard cinema.
• Evening: dress up for dinner, have a pre-dinner cocktail, then head to the theatre for the evening show. Afterwards, try the casino, dance in the nightclub, or watch the stars from the top deck.

You will not be bored on a sea day. Equally, there is no pressure to do anything at all, which is the point.

Port Days: Making the Most of Your Time Ashore

When your ship docks at a port, you typically have 6 to 10 hours to explore. You have three main options:

Ship-organised excursions

Booked through the cruise line, these guided tours cover the highlights of each destination. They are convenient and come with one big advantage: if the tour runs late, the ship will wait for you. Prices range from around £30 for a simple city tour to £150 plus for adventure activities or private experiences.

Independent exploration

Many experienced cruisers prefer to explore on their own. You save money, set your own pace and avoid large tour groups. Just allow plenty of time to get back to the ship, because it will not wait if you are late.

Third-party excursions

Companies like Viator and GetYourGuide offer port tours at competitive prices. You get more choice than the ship offers, often at a lower cost. Just be aware that the ship will not wait if a third-party tour runs late.

Top tip: on your first cruise, book at least one ship-organised excursion so you can see how it works. For familiar or straightforward ports, explore independently.

Tipping and Gratuities

Gratuities can confuse first-time cruisers, especially those from the UK where tipping culture is less ingrained. Here is how it works.

Most major cruise lines add an automatic daily service charge to your onboard account. This is typically:

• Royal Caribbean: $16.00 per person per day (standard cabins), $18.50 for suites
• MSC Cruises: €14.00 per person per day in the Mediterranean
• Norwegian Cruise Line: $20.00 per person per day
• P&O Cruises: £6.00 per person per day (one of the lowest in the industry)
• Celebrity Cruises: $18.00 per person per day

These charges are shared among the crew who look after you: cabin stewards, waiters, kitchen staff and behind-the-scenes team members. You can usually adjust the amount at Guest Services, but the expectation is that you pay the standard rate.

Some lines, like Virgin Voyages, include gratuities in the fare, so there is nothing extra to pay.

Cruise Lingo: A Glossary for Beginners

Cruise ships have their own vocabulary. Here are the terms you will hear most often:

• Aft. The back of the ship.
• Bow. The front of the ship.
• Bridge. The control centre where the captain and officers run the ship.
• Cabin / Stateroom. Your room on the ship. The terms are interchangeable.
• Deck. A floor or level of the ship.
• Disembarkation. Leaving the ship at the end of your cruise.
• Embarkation. Boarding the ship on the first day.
• Galley. The ship's kitchen.
• Gangway. The walkway connecting the ship to the dock.
• Lido. The open-air pool deck area.
• Muster drill. The mandatory safety briefing before the ship sails.
• Port. (1) A destination where the ship docks. (2) The left side of the ship when facing forward.
• Starboard. The right side of the ship when facing forward.
• Tender. A small boat used to ferry passengers from ship to shore when the ship cannot dock directly.
• Tender port. A port where the ship anchors offshore and tenders are used.

Common First-Time Concerns (and Why You Should Not Worry)

Will I get seasick?

Modern cruise ships have stabilisers that reduce motion considerably. Most passengers feel nothing at all. If you are prone to motion sickness, choose a mid-ship cabin on a lower deck (where movement is least), pack seasickness tablets or patches, and avoid heavy meals before sailing. The ship's medical centre also stocks remedies.

Will I feel trapped?

This is probably the most common anxiety, and it almost always disappears within hours of boarding. Cruise ships are enormous; the largest are longer than three football pitches. With multiple decks, open-air spaces, pools, restaurants and entertainment venues, you will not feel boxed in.

Is it good value?

Once you factor in accommodation, three meals a day, entertainment, transport between destinations and kids clubs, a cruise can be very good value. A seven-night Mediterranean cruise from Southampton starts from around £600 per person, which is hard to beat for a week's holiday that visits multiple countries.

What if I need medical help?

Every cruise ship has a fully equipped medical centre staffed by qualified doctors and nurses. Treatment is charged at private rates, so comprehensive travel insurance is essential. Make sure your policy specifically covers cruise travel.

Your First Cruise Checklist

Before you go, make sure you have ticked off these essentials:

1. Chosen your cruise line, ship and itinerary
2. Booked your cabin (balcony mid-ship is our recommendation for first-timers)
3. Checked your passport validity (at least six months from your return date)
4. Purchased comprehensive travel insurance that covers cruises
5. Completed online check-in and printed your luggage tags
6. Packed using our cruise packing checklist
7. Downloaded your cruise line's app (most lines have one, and it is your daily planner, restaurant booking tool and onboard account manager)
8. Notified your bank that you will be travelling
9. Arranged transport to the cruise terminal
10. Prepared a carry-on bag with essentials for the first few hours

Once you have taken your first cruise, there is a fair chance you will be planning your second before you even step off the ship. Welcome aboard.